WASHINGTON, DC -- The Green Party of the United States saluted and praised Occupy Wall Street on September 17, the latter's first anniversary, calling the movement a sorely needed revival of protest for the economic rights of working people and the poor in an era of increasing redistribution of wealth to the top "one percent" supported by both Democratic and Republican politicians.

Many Greens, including presidential nominee Jill Stein and running mate Cheri Honkala, have joined the Occupy rally in New York. On Monday, September 17, Dr. Stein and Ms. Honkala spoke to the rally at Bowling Green, with Dr. Stein addressing the connection between climate change and big banks (http://www.jillstein.org/occupy_wall_street_anniversary / photos: http://bit.ly/Qg2F1E).

"We need Occupy Wall Street in the next few months more than ever before," said Julia Willebrand, Green candidate for New York State Assembly in Manhattan (67th District) and participant in current Occupy actions (http://www.facebook.com/juliaforassembly). "America's two-party political establishment -- including President Obama and Gov. Romney -- has continued to abandon the 99 percent and serve the interests of Wall Street and other powerful corporate lobbies. The attack on public education and labor in Chicago, which led to the teachers' union strike, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, endorsed by Romney and Obama, are just two recent examples."

Greens have respected the nonpartisan nature of the Occupy protests and have criticized Democratic Party front groups like MoveOn.org for attempting to hijack the movement and turn it into "Reelect Obama."

Greens assert that many Occupy grievances and demands match those of the Green Party. Green Party leaders said that Jill Stein's likely exclusion from the presidential debates means that Occupy's concerns will be banished from discussion (http://www.jillstein.org/launching_occupy_the_cpd).

"We urge all Americans who share the frustration and anger of the Occupy Movement to learn about the Green Party and the 'Green New Deal' that our candidates are promoting. We urge working Americans to remember that Jill Stein and Cheri Honkala stood with the Chicago Teachers Union, were arrested for protesting foreclosures in Philadelphia, and have spoken at Occupy events -- while Democratic Party leaders were on the wrong side or remained silent," said Drew Langdon, Green candidate for New York State Assembly in Rochester (137th District / http://drewlangdon.org/).

"And we remind everyone that not voting is really a vote for the status quo," said Mr. Langdon.